How to Choose the Perfect Holiday Gift for a Child with Autism

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, people everywhere begin their search for the perfect gift. While there is a plethora of children’s toys on the market, finding the correct one for a child with autism can be challenging. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a group of complex brain development disorders, characterized in various degrees by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. We’ve created a buyer’s guide, highlighting various toys children with autism may enjoy.

Sensory Toys

Some autistic children have difficulty processing sensory information, meaning they may be overly- or under-sensitive to sights, sounds, touch, taste, etc. If you’re selecting a sensory toy for a child with autism, it’s important to choose one without too much activity. Try to choose an item that focuses mainly on one sense, rather that multiple senses.

• Light-up toys – glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark objects, lightsabers, flashlights, light-up aquariums, Lite-brite sets
• Tactile toys – Legos, squishy balls/objects, Koosh balls, sand castle play sets, vibrating toys, Play-Doh, play tent, sit-n-spins, weighted blankets, trampoline, pogo stick, indoor or outdoor swings
• Sound toys – microphone, toy instruments, blocks, books with sound 

Educational Toys

There are various learning styles – visual, auditory, verbal and kinesthetic (physical) – and many toys can fulfill a child’s natural means of learning. For autistic children, it is helpful to know how they typically learn, whether it’s looking at a book (visual), listening to a song (auditory), speaking about an activity with someone else (verbal) or putting a puzzle together (kinesthetic).

• Visual – picture books, educational DVDs, board games, activity books, arts and crafts sets, letter or number puzzles, dry erase board and markers, iPad (loaded with Autism iHelp apps), letter or number stamps,
• Auditory – toy instruments, books with sound, toys that speak/make noise when pressed, audiobooks
• Verbal – books/DVDs/toys with sing-a-longs, toys that speak and prompt the child to answer, journals, rhyming books
• Kinesthetic – puzzles, building blocks, coloring books, arts and crafts kits, activity books 

Social Toys

Developing their social skills can be a challenge for some children with autism. Toys that promote engagement and participation with others can help them develop their skills through play.

• Board games
• Gaming systems
• Inflatable ball pits
• Swing sets
• Pretend environments like play kitchens, play houses, castles, tents, etc.
• Soccer balls, basket balls, footballs
• Blocks
• Legos
• Experience-based gifts: activity classes, workshops, etc. 

Quality time

One of the best gifts of all is quality time with the autistic child in your life.

• Baking/ cooking projects
• Play time with some of their favorite toys
• Read a story to them and encourage them to follow along or read with you
• Do an arts and crafts activity
• Have a day trip to an interesting place – the zoo, the park, a museum, etc.

The Speech-Language Institute provides services for children and adults with autism. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.